Growing a Burning Bush

Easy to grow and prized for its fall foliage, the burning bush makes a nice addition to your garden. This is a guide about growing a burning bush.

Solutions: Growing a Burning Bush

Read and rate the best solutions below by giving them a "thumbs up".

How To Grow And Care For Burning Bush

With its stunning autumn foliage and tolerance for neglect, Burning Bush (Euonymus) makes a wonderful ornamental addition to nearly any yard or garden. Here are some tips for growing and caring for burning bush in your landscape.

Beware of the Giant "Dwarf"

Plants labeled 'dwarf" or "compact" are usually assumed to be smaller versions of the same species. It's no wonder then, that many gardeners end up surprised by the irony associated with the name Euonymus alata "Compactus", a.k.a. "Dwarf Burning Bush". Capable of reaching a mature height and spread of 10 feet by 10 feet, the shrub is not exactly "dwarf" in size. Its namesake, "Dwarf", actually refers to the fact that the corky ridges found on its bark are much smaller and less distinctive than they are on the Euonymus species form. Good information to have before planting a row of them under your picture window.

Care and Feeding

Winged Burning Bush is easy to care for and considered essentially maintenance-free, at least until they outgrow their space. It is this ability to thrive in less-than-ideal conditions and subsequent tolerance for abuse (and pollution) that makes them such popular choices for the urban landscape.

Burning bush prefer to grow in a sunny spot, and in soil that is moist (not wet) and slightly acidic. Fortunately, they also adapt to partial shade, poor soil, dry soil, and the wrong pH, although each of these elements may adversely affect their fall color display.

Things to consider:

Full sun is needed for burning bush to reach its full color potential.
The rapid breakdown of hardwood mulch around the shrubs may result in a nitrogen deficiency (yellow leaves and slow growth). This can be remedied by yearly applications of fertilizer, or by switching to a mulch that decays more slowly.
Plants benefit from being fertilized annually in the spring before new growth begins. Have your soil tested first to determine existing nutrient levels before starting a fertilizer regime.
Burning bush growing in alkaline soil may develop mild leaf chlorosis (yellowing leaves). Like nitrogen deficiencies, this problem can also be remedied through a yearly application of the right type of fertilizer.
Prolonged stress like an extended summer drought may cause your burning bush to turn color prematurely.
Burning bush is generally trouble-free, but watch out for scale and powdery mildew.

To Prune or Not to Prune?

The answer as to whether or not you should prune your burning bush depends entirely on your individual situation. Healthy growth does not depend on regular pruning, so in most cases, your shrubs will look best if left alone. However, when you need to control their size and shape (and eventually you will), pruning will become necessary.

Options:

Thinning (when convenient): Use pruning shears to remove up to 1/3 of the old or dying branches. This will keep growth manageable - at least for a few years. An alternative is to slowly encourage a more upright, tree-like form by removing all of the lower branches over time.
Shearing (early spring): Use a hedge clippers to shape multiple bushes growing together into a traditional hedge. Make sure to trim the top slightly narrower than the bottom to allow light to penetrate to all of the branches.
Rejuvenating (early spring): To encourage all new growth, prune the bush back severely, to within 6 to 12 inches from the ground. Although this type of pruning is extreme, the plant will recover nicely over a period of years (providing its in good health).
Transplanting: When pruning is no longer a viable option, you might want to consider transplanting the bush to a larger space, or replacing it altogether with something more size appropriate.

Fast Facts

Dwarf-winged Burning Bush (Euonymus alata "Compactus")

Exposure: Sun/partial shade.

Soil: Not super fussy, but does need ample drainage.

Form: Shrub-like; starts with an upright growth habit becoming more rounded with age.

Foliage/bark: 1 to 3-inch long narrow leaves, finely serrated; medium to dark green in summer and turning flaming red (full sun) to pale pink (shade) in the fall. The bark has visible corky ridges on the regular-sized species, but is smaller and less distinctive on the so-named "dwarf" variety.

Flower/fruit: Inconspicuous flowers in late spring/early summer; produces tiny red-orange fruits in the fall that are attractive to wildlife.

Height/spread: Will slowly grow to 8 to 10 feet tall with a spread as wide ("Compactus"); other varieties may be much taller. Euonymus alatus 'Rudy Haag' is shorter - typically reaching 5 feet tall and 5 feet wide.

Growth rate: Slow to moderate.

Hardiness: Most varieties are hardy to zone 4.

Invasive In Some Areas

Winged burning bush is native to northeastern Asia and was first introduced in North America as an ornamental plant in the 1860s. Although still considered a popular landscaping shrub, it is considered invasive in certain parts of the United States - especially in some Northeast states and New England.

Winged burning bush can invade a variety of disturbed habitats including forest edges, fields, and roadways. Once established, it can form a dense stand that chokes out native vegetation. Before planting burning bush, check the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States to see if it is considered a threat in your area.

http://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=3023#maps

By Ellen Brown

0SharePrintFollow2 Feedbacks

Share Your Feedback: Once you try any of the above solutions, be sure to come back and give a "thumbs up" to the solution that worked the best for you. Do you have a better solution? Click "Share a Solution" above!

Questions

Here are questions related to Growing a Burning Bush.

Caring for a Burning Bush Plant

What kind of food should I use on my Burning Bush?

Hardiness Zone: 7a

By leah0860 from Morganville, NJ

SharePrintFollow2 Feedbacks

Most Recent Answer

By adina72 10/23/2009

They don't require a lot of care. An organic mulch is really all they need because the mulch will break down over the years and improve the soil. If they were doing poorly this year, an inch of compost around them will help feed them without stressing them.

Burning Bush Lost Leaves

I sprayed my yard with bug spray and since then all the leaves have fallen off of my burning bushes and they look dead. It is August and I don't know what to do to make them produce more leaves. Should I go ahead and prune them to three inches or wait until early spring? We live in Tennessee and the temps are crazy this time of year so I don't know what to do. Can anyone help?

By Heather

SharePrintFollowPost Feedback

Growing a Burning Bush

I don't know my gardening zone, but I want to know if a burning bush will grow where I live? Sometimes it is very windy. Also where can I buy the plant? Thank you.

By Jayne from Mulege, Baja Sur, Mexico

SharePrintFollow2 Feedbacks

Most Recent Answer

By leekelly 02/02/2011

I live in Wisconsin, and my bush only turns red in the fall, right before it goes dormant.

Pruning a Burning Bush

Can I trim a burning bush after the leaves fall and before winter sets in? We live in New York state.

By Janet M.

SharePrintFollow1 Feedback

Most Recent Answer

By Lewissan 09/10/2012

This page has some information about pruning.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52138569.tip.html

Generally, I believe early spring and later winter are good times to do heavy pruning. Light trimming can be done just about any time.

Pruning a Burning Bush

What is the proper time to prune a burning bush?

Hardiness Zone: 7a

By Earline from Henderson, NC

SharePrintFollow1 Feedback

Most Recent Answer

By Shelby24019 11/12/2010

I have several burning bushes and I prune them whenever I think of it, Any time I have my pruners in my hands maybe pruning something else. They have always done fine. I don't think you could kill them if you tried.

Planting a Burning Bush

I live in Texas, when is the best time to plant a dwarf burning bush?

Hardiness Zone: 8b

By Lou from San Angelo, TX

SharePrintFollowPost Feedback

Growing a Burning Bush from Cuttings

I was wondering if you can get a start off a burning bush, plant it, and it will grow?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

By Shelly from Patricksburg, IN

SharePrintFollow2 Feedbacks

Most Recent Answer

By sawn61 05/19/2010

I'm not sure about the rooting of the burning bush, but a lot of folks don't know that the burning bush drops seeds readily each year and a good friend might be more than willing to give you all the starts you need. I don't mulch under my bushes, so that may be helpful to know. They drop seeds under the mother plant and they come up everywhere like crazy.

Burning Bush Leaves Look Translucent

My sister says the leaves on her burning bush are looking like you can almost see thru them. I want to help her with them, but am not sure where to start or what exactly to do.

By Libby F.

SharePrintFollowPost Feedback

Rabbit Ate My Burning Bush

I just noticed that the rabbits did quite a number on all my burning bushes this winter. They have pruned them down quite a bit. Will this affect their growth this summer? Or doesn't it matter?

Hardiness Zone: 5b

By Vicki from Hannibal, NY

SharePrintFollow1 Feedback

Most Recent Answer

By PIKKA 03/14/2010

If the trimming was mainly on the ends of branches towards middle, bush will probably be fuller. If they took off whole branches in uneven manner, hard to say. Pruning often encourages growth.

Planting a Burning Bush

How and when do I plant a burning bush?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Jean from Adena, Ohio

RE: Planting a Burning Bush

I live in Maryland and have a burning bush. I planted it in the summer about 7 years ago. I have never done anything special to it other than water it when it was small. It is huge now and beautiful! The red leaves in the fall are unbelievable! They must be pretty hardy, so if I were you, I'd plant one in the spring or summer once you're out of the frost scare. Good luck! (01/14/2009)

By marisa0407

RE: Planting a Burning Bush

Burning bushes are pretty sturdy, hardy shrubs. The only thing I had to do special was keep chicken wire fences around them while they were young so that the rabbits didn't kill them. Otherwise, with regular watering, they should take off on their own. (01/20/2009)

By Red

Planting a Burning Bush

Will a burning bush grow in acidic soil where pine trees used to be?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

By Sue from Niles, MI

RE: Planting a Burning Bush

Yes, it should do just fine. They are extraordinarily hardy, and seem to love every soil, although I'd swear, the worse-quality the soil is, the more they like it! You might want to try some azaleas there, too. They love acidic soil. Good luck. (04/29/2010)

By leopardstripes

Growing a Burning Bush

By Ellen Brown

Question:

I am looking for tips on growing burning bushes.

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Donna from Orange Count, NY

Answer:

Donna,

Burning bushes happen to be one of my favorite shrubs. They are low maintenance and offer wonderful fall color, and add interest to the winter landscape. Here are some hints for growing them:

You can grow them in full sun to part shade, but their color will be the greatest in full sun.
They prefer moist, well-drained soil, but are very adaptable to poor soils, drought, and heat stress.
Burning bushes can develop mild leaf chlorosis (yellowed leaves) in soils that are too alkaline. This can easily be remedied with regular applications of fertilizer and by mulching with pine needles or chopped leaves to help maintain the proper pH.
Burning bushes will tolerate moderate amounts of pollution, but they don't do very well with road salt. Avoid planting them too close to busy streets.
Occasional annual pruning may be necessary to keep full-sized bushes looking neat. Dwarf varieties rarely need pruning.
Using hardwood mulch around the base of your bushes (typically waste wood from municipal tree trimmings and offered free to the public at landfills) can induce a nitrogen deficiency in the soil because it has a tendency to break down very rapidly. This can be remedied with regular applications of fertilizer or by using mulch that decomposes more slowly (for example, pine, cedar, or cypress).
Insect pests are not usually a problem, but keep an eye out for scale. Watch for hungry rabbits and rodents nibbling on bare lower branches in the winter.

Good luck!

Ellen

About The Author: Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com

RE: Growing a Burning Bush

Make sure you plant it in full sun. That is what makes it turn red in the fall. I made a mistake and planted mine shaded by a tree. (06/30/2008)

By malinda

RE: Growing a Burning Bush

I have 3 and they surprised me by tolerating high winter winds from the north and salt spray from a busy street. They seem very hardy. They are planted in average garden soil. They do get good sun and do turn bright red in fall. I am also in zone 5. (06/30/2008)

By OhioGirl

RE: Growing a Burning Bush

They are very hardy shrubs. Mine are assaulted by rabbits every year, especially in the winter. For the first few years we had to keep a chicken wire fence around them. Once they got established and a bit larger we took the fences down. The rabbits still love them, but they are strong enough to survive them now. (07/01/2008)

By Beth

RE: Growing a Burning Bush

Plant them in full sun. Water somewhat regularly the first year and after that, only during periods of very hot, dry weather. They are tough, hardy bushes and one of the few left alone by deer. They love neglect in my yard and are thriving in poor rocky clay soil. Let them grow a couple years before pruning. (07/01/2008)

By Tina, zone 5

RE: Growing a Burning Bush

I have two established burning bushes in my front yard. One is in 90% sun and one is in 90% shade. Obviously one is a bit bigger than the other, but they both turn red. The one in the shade just takes a bit longer. This spring only one of the branches of the entire bush bloomed. The rest of the bush is bare. Is this common? (08/05/2009)

By Marylumac